Have just read a fascinating article on fuel cells for marine small boat use. It seems the way to go for the future. One difficulty at the moment is the restricted availability of the methanol fuel cartridges.
Does anyone have any personal experience? Or any views/comment?

They do sound almost too good to be true and it 's something to keep in mind as I spend the winter trying to figure out what 's wrong with our Fischer Panda diesel generator. I wish I head read some of the online chat forums about FP 's before I bought it! Maybe it will go overboard in favour of a Fuel Cell? I look forward to hearing of people 's experiences.

Simon
Try this link:
http://www.upssystems.co.uk/standby-power-products/fuel-cells/?source=Adwords_FuelCells_FuelCellSeekers_Ad2&gclid=CIu4_N6q8bICFeTLtAodlEUAjA

Hi Simon,
Perhaps another thread should be started on gensets. Did you solve the FPs issues? Acquaintances in Central America when we were sailing there, had the pleasure of depositing their FP into the brine and started a web site Fisher Panda Sucks.com. Is yours a DC or AC producing unit?
Dick Stevenson, s/v Alchemy

Yes we did solve. A tiny wire from the generator thermal cut out had a dodgy connection causing intermittent problems. All fine this since.
Simon

Ours is 240 volt AC.

I know this is an old topic but I have a fuel cell.
It is the Hydromax, fuelled by apple juice and an alkali.
I may have been unlucky but it has been an unmitigated disaster. It worked for a week in the dock and then failed as we entered the Bay of Biscay.
The manufacturer has sat on the failure for six months, trying every excuse to deny warranty.
I cannot suggest buying one at all.
So I am several thousand pounds out of pocket and unable to carry on cruising unless I fork out for something else, which I am reluctant to do!

Tony.

Hi Tony,
I am sorry for your troubles and thank you for sharing this information. It may help to convey to the manufacturer that you are going public with your frustrations, but it also may not. You underscore a position I take when thinking through equipment for offshore venturing vessels to never be an early adapter: let offshore equipment have 5-10 years of use.
Let us know how things unfold.
Dick Stevenson, s/v Alchemy

Hi

My posting was not 'from the hip '.

I have been very positive and constructive over the issue and have also paid almost £400 to ship the unit for investigation.
When the time is right I will spill the beans on the entire experience.
Meanwhile, be very careful if you are thinking of buying one.

I really wish I was here saying that it was a super piece of kit.
I certainly want it as my solution.
And I don 't have five years to wait!!
Tony